by Erin Goss, Wild Ones Member and Chairperson, Landscape Challenge
Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 St. Louis Wild Ones Landscape Challenge, Megan Grothman and Jon Hammond! Their yard, in Big Bend Woods in Ballwin, was chosen from 15 applicants and features a mid-century modern ranch home and a blank slate for adding native landscape. Enthusiastic go-getters, Jon and Megan have been clearing invasives on their property and elsewhere around the subdivision since moving from St. Louis City in April 2023. They hope by clearing invasive species and introducing more natives they can create a more diverse habitat for native insects and birds for our family to enjoy for years to come. They also hope to provide an example for others who are considering natives for their landscape. John and Megan will make excellent native plant ambassadors!
Megan grew up on 10 acres in Jackson Missouri and moved to St. Louis after graduating from Missouri State University in 2009. Megan works in digital marketing. Jon grew up in Ballwin and is a landscaper. We hope to see his company name in the Grow Native’s Resource Guide sometime in the future!
The designer for the garden will be Wild Ones member Maureen Keaveny and a HUGE thank you to the rest of the committee – Kathy Bildner, Kevin Mowery, Tessa Wasserman, and Sue Leahy – for all their hard work in the selection process. The plan is to plant the garden in late April or early May. Please watch for an announcement – we will need planting help!
That’s so exciting! I plan to help out. Such days are great fun and wonderful learning opportunities, too.
Congrats, Megan and John!